Filtering apparatus



Nov. 19, 1946. F. B. SHEPARD FILTERING APPARATUS Filed April 12, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1946- F. B. SHEPARD FILTERING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 12, 1945 gwwwvtm ZBSZepaTJ Nov. 19, 1946.

F. B. SHEPARD FILTERING APPARATUS Filed AfiEil 12, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 awe/MM F72 epca'ri Patented Nov. 19, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

FILTEBING APPARATUS Frank B. Shepard, Texon, Tex.

Application April 12, 1943, Serial No. 482,748

3 Claims,

of internal combustion engines although it can be employed with equal advantage in the reclaiming of lubricating and cutting oils used for all purposes.

The invention also has for an object to provide an apparatus of this kind including filtering media of different kinds as, for example, a waste pack and fullers-earth units to assure the reclaimed oil being substantially clear of all heavy matter, such as iron oxide, carbon, dust, practically all abrasive matter, water, etc., and restored to practically its original state of utility.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a filtering apparatus employing filtering units of different characters and wherein each of said units can be readily and conveniently replaced.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind including the use of two different characters of filtering units, one of which is a fullers-earth unit and the other of a character to materially relieve the fullersearth unit of its burden and thereby materially prolong the useful life of the fullers-earth unit. The invention also comprises as an object to provide an apparatus of this kind including a screen element comprised in the fullers-earth filtering unit constructed and assembled in a manner whereby the resistance to flow is equalized practically throughout the entire surface, whereby the unit will possess capacity sufficient to handle a reasonably large flow of fluid and will so equalize the pressure to prevent channeling of the fluid in the fullers-earth.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved filtering apparatus whereby certain advantages are ttained, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that my invention may be better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation and of a somewhat diagrammatic character illustrating a filtering apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the device as illustrated in Figure 1, with parts in elevation.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, with parts in elevation, taken through the filtering case as herein comprised.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 1--1 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation of a filtering element constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line |ll-l0 of Figure 9.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, M denotes a main pressure tank of desired dimensions and having its upper or top end open, with said top end defined by an outstanding flange I. At diametrically opposed points and closely adjacent to its top open end, the tank M has suitably secured to the inner faces thereof the opposed plates 2 welded or otherwise securely held in applied position. Each of these plates is provided in its upper portion with an upwardly facing notch or recess 3 in which is received from above an end portion of a supporting bar 4 which extends radially across the upper portion of the tank M.

At substantially the axial center of the tank M, the bar 4 has rigidly secured thereto from below an elbow 5, one leg a of which extends downwardly and the second and upper leg b of which extends laterally. The upper or lateral leg I) of the elbow 5 has coupled thereto, as at 6, an end portion of a pipe 1 which extends outwardly of the tank M through a side wall 8 thereof for a purpose to be hereinafter more particularly referred to.

The depending leg at of the elbow 5 has coupled thereto the upper end portion of a pipe 9 of material length and which has the lower portion of its wall at spaced points therearound and lengthwise thereof provided with the elongated and longitudinally disposed perforations or slots l0.

Surrounding this pipe 9 at a point above but closely adjacent to the lower slotted portion thereof and rigidly secured thereto is an outstanding member or washer ll against which abuts or contacts from below the uppermost of the annular screening elements or parts l2 snugly surrounding the lower or perforated portion of the pipe 9.

These elements or members [2 are of a number to extend from the member or washer H to a point closely adjacent to the lower end of the pipe 9 and adjacent elements or members l2 are held in close contact one with the other by a blind nut l4 threading upon the lower portion of the pipe 9 below the applied elements or members I2 and having contact from below with the lowermost of such elements or members [2.

The under surface of each of these elements or members I2 is provided thereacross at points spaced equidistantly therearound with the radially disposed and shallow grooves or channels I5 through which the fluid, such as oil to be re claimed, may readily seep or flow into the lower portion of the pipe 9 through the openings in thereof.

Substantially tightly disposed over the applied elements or members [2 and blind nut I4 is a fabric sack or sock It. This sack or sock I6 is applied from below and has its upperend portion surrounding the member or washer H and held thereto by a tie wire I! or other flexible strand. To facilitate this securement of the sack or sock [6, the periphery of the member or washer H is provided circumferentially therearound with the groove or channel '18 into which the adjacent por tion of the sack or sock is compressed under the action of the tie wire 11.

The pipe 9 extends downwardly at substantially the axial center of a cylindrical cage or basket C, the wall 59 of which, at points circumferentially therearound and at points spaced lengthwise thereof, is provided with the elongated slots or perforations 20. This pipe 9 is of a le gth to position the lower portion thereof su.-ounded by the elements or members H2 at substantially'the center-of the cage or basket C.

Thebottom 2i of the cage is also provided with the perforations '22 and depending from the peripheral portion-of this bottom 2! are the equidistantly and circumferentially spaced legs 23 which rest directly upon the bottom 24 of the main tank M whereby the bottom 2| of the cage or'basket C isspaced as desired above the bottom 24 ofthetank M.

The cage or basket C is of a diameter less than the interior diameter of the tankM so that when the cage or basket '0 is in applied position Within the tankM, said cage or basket C is surrounded by a space 2.5. The top or'upper end of the cage or basket *is "open, so that the desiredfiller F of'fullers-earth maybe readily placed within or removed from the cage or basket 0. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, this filler F is'contained within a fabricsack 26 of desired capacity, so that the. filler F, in fact, constitutes a unit or'cartridge which can -be-quickly. applied or removed. After application of the cartridge, the upper open or mouth end of the sack 26 is closed in a manner to snugly surround the adjacent upper-portion of the pipe-9.

' The upper open end of the cage or basket C, at points spaced circumferentiallytherearound, isprovided with the .upstanding straps, each of WhiCh'iS provided in its upper portion with an opening 28. These straps 38 provide means wherebyithe cage'or basket'C may be readily handled 'for placement within the main basket M or. removed therefrom. The openings 28 make it possible 'forlifting hooks to be effectively engaged .withithe straps.

Itjis to be pointed out that-the screening elements or members l2 provide a comparatively large area in order to assure sufficient-screening capacity with the resistance-t0 'fi lw'practically equalized throughout the entire surface. By the provision 'of the grooves -or channels 4'5, ---which 4 provide minute openings, suflicient capacity is afforded to handle a large flow of fluid spread out over a comparatively large area in order to equalize the pressure. This assembly embodying the. screening elements or members 12 assures equal pressure through the filler F to prevent channeling of the fluid in such filler and at the same time assures the screening out of all minute abrasive particles of the filler F. The applied sack or sock .56 also serves as a further screening medium.

Overlying the upper open top of the main tank MM is a second pressure tank T. The lower end of this tank T is closed by a bottom 29 and the lower end of this tank T is defined by the outstanding surrounding flange 3B which rests upon the flange l of the main tank M. These flanges 3i and l are bolted, as at 3|, or otherwise detachably connected, so that the upper pressure tank T may be readily applied or removed as desired.

The top of the tank T is also open and said top or open end is defined by an outstanding surrounding flange 32 upon which rests the peripheral portion of the cover plate 33 for this tank T and which plate 33, as herein disclosed, is bolted, as vat 3.4, or otherwise detachably connected to the flange 32. The upper portion of the tank T and at .a point closely adjacent to the top thereof has in communication therewith, through the side Wall 35 of the tank T, an inlet pipe 36 leading from the source of supply of .oil or other fluid to be reclaimed or purified.

Interposed in this pipe '36 is a spring-loaded adjustable by-pass valve 310i any preferred type for the purpose of maintaining desired pressure and also to serve as a safety. Depending from the cover plate 3.3 at the axial center thereof is a pipe 38 of alength to terminate above but in relatively close proximity tothe bottom'29 of the tank T. The lower major portion of this pipe 38 is provided at points therearound and lengthwise thereof withthe elongated perforations or slots 39 and surrounding such perforated portion of the pipe 38am the'screening elements or members 40, Withladjacent elements or members in close contact one with the other and with the uppermost element or member 40 having direct contact with a surrounding member or shoulder 4| fixedly carried by theupper portion of the pipe 38.

The lower end portion of the pipe 38 has threaded thereon a blind nut 42 which operates to hold the elements or members 49 in desired assembly upon the pipe 33 and also for clamping the lower portion of the pipe 38 to the bottom or lower perforated lid or cover 43 for the cylindrical waste cage or basket B. The side wall 44 of thiscontainer-is also provided atspaced points therearound and'at-points spaced between the top-and bottom thereof with the elongated perforations or slots 'tdwhile the upper end of the cage or basket Bis closedby the perforated top lid or cover 46.

This cage or basket B is tightly packed with a waste flller W and the cage or basket .13 is of a diameter less than the interior diameterof the tank T so that a space 41 surrounds the applied cageor basket' B. It is also to be noted that this cage or basket -B, when applied, has its'bottom cover-43 spaced fromthe-bottom 29 of the tank T and has its top cover orlid 4E5 spacedfrom the cover-plate 33 of the tank T.

Leading from and in communication-with the upper portion of the pipe -38 is a-discharge pipe 43,;11hi s pipe 48-isabovethecover plate 3.3 and extends radially thereofto a-desiredpoint therebeyond. The outer --end1portion of ithis pipe,,=.4.8

is continued by a depending pipe line 49 which terminates at a point closely adjacent to the lower end ofthe tank M. This lower end portion of the pipe line 49 is in communication, as at 50, with the lower portion of the tank M through the side wall 8 thereof and also in communication, as

at 5i, with the upper portion of the tank M through its side wall 8.

The pipe line 49 at a point above the connection 5! has interposed therein a regulating or control valve 52 of desired type and in communication with the pipe line 49 above or in advance of the valve 52 is a pipe line. 53 having interposed therein a regulating or control valve 54 of any type preferred. This pipe line 53 leads to and is in communication with an outlet pipe 55 leading from a filtering case A. This pipe line 55 in advance of its connection with the pipe line 53, or at a point between such connection and the case A, has interposed therein a control or regu lating valve 56. By closing the valves 52 and 56, with, of course, the valve 54 open, the oil or other fluid may be by-passed direct from the upper tankT to the outlet pipe 55.

' The filtering case A, as herein disclosed, comprises a base casting or member 5? provided at its center with an axial opening 58 continued by an outwardly and radially disposed inlet port 59 with which communicates the extremity of the pipe i, hereinbefore referred to. This port 59 is extended through an outwardly directed boss 5!! carried by the casting or base member 5? and to which the outer extremity of the pipe 1 is suitably coupled.

The outlet pipe 55, hereinbeiore referred to, is in communication with the filtering case A through this base casting or member 51 through the medium, in the present embodiment of the invention, of an upstanding nipple 5i suitably coupled to the outlet pipe 55 and threading from below up within a suitably positioned opening 52 disposed through the base casting or member 57. Resting from above on the marginal portion of the base casting or member 51 is in outwardly disposed flange B3 defining the lower open marginal portion of a dome 64. This dome is effectively held in applied position by the cap screws 65 disposed at desired points through the flange 63 and threading from above into the peripheral portion of the base casting or member 51.

The T coupling 66 which connects the pipe 55 and the nipple 8| has it lower end closed by a removable plug 61 whereby, when desired, the nipple 61 can be employed as a drain or clean-out for the chamber within the applied dome 64.

Positioned Within the dome 54 substantially centrally thereof is a cup-like filter body 58 and depending from the central portion of the bottom 69 of the filter body 68 is a tubular stem 1U threading from above or otherwise effectively en gaged within the opening 58, whereby the body member 68 is mounted and maintained in desired position within the dome 64. The bore H of the stem is open at its lower end, whereby direct communication is had with the inlet port, 59 while the opposite or upper end of the bore 1i opens through the bottom 69 of the filter body 68 for communication within said body 68.

The filter body 68 at a point above and in relatively close proximity to the bottom 69 thereof is provided with the internal and upwardly facing continuous shoulder 12 upon which is placed a ring gasket 13 of desired material. Superimposed upon this gasket 13 is a spacing ring 14 with which engages from above the peripheral portion of a lower flat perforated disk 15. In the present embodiment of the invention, these disks are shown as two in number although, of course, such number may be varied as the requirements of practice may prefer. Each of these disks 15 has its entire under area flat and coplanar while the upper surface of each of the disks 15 is recessed, as at 15, over a major portion thereof to provide a shallow chamber. Superimposed on the upper disk 15 is a perforated disk 11 having both its top and bottom surfaces flat and coplanar, and bearing from above on the peripheral portion of this disk 11 is a holding or jamb nut 18 threading from above down into the upper portion of the filter body 68.

Interposed between the lower disk 15 and the spacing ring 14, between adjacent disks 15 and between the top disk 15 and the disk 11, are the superimposed laminations 19 and 80, one constituting a filtering cloth or paper 80 and the other a fine mesh supporting screen 19. These laminations 19 and 80 are effectively clamped in desired position under the action of the jamb or holding nut 18.

It is to be noted that the base casting or member 51 is provided with a relatively wide annular recess Bl to bleed fluid below the overflowing point when draining. The dome 64 at its high point is provided with a tapped opening 82 to provide an air bleeder.

The main tank M has suitably supported against its outer surface at a desired location an elongated heating element 83 of a type preferred and the location of this element 83 is where it will give the best efficiency depending on the size and capacity of the tank M and the parts therein. While, in the accompanying drawings, only a single heating element 83 is shown, it is believed to be obvious that as many may be em- ;ployed as practice may demand and it is also believed to be obvious that such heating element or elements are to be thermostatically controlled so that the same will be ineffective when the temperature of the fluid within the tank M is below a predetermined or desired degree.

It is believed to be apparent from the foregoing that the invention as herein described is one which provides what may be termed a twostage filtering apparatus for the purpose of filtering lubricating oils and other liquids. The fluid enters the upper tank T through the pipe and thence, under pressure, through the waste filler W, between the screening elements or members and out through the pipe 48 and pipe 49, when the valve 52 is opened and the valve 54 closed, into the main tank T at 561 and 5|. The fluid within the main tank M then passes under pressure through the filler F of fullersearth and between the screening elements or members 12 and out through the pipes 9 and 1 into the filtering case A. From the filtering case A the fluid passes out through the pipe 55, when the valve 56 is opened, to a desired point of discharge.

In Figures 9 and 10 is illustrated a filterin element that can be substituted for the waste pack filtering element located in the upper tank T in the first embodiment of the invention. This filtering, element or unit D, as herein disclosed, comprises a central box-like frame or casting '84 herein disclosed as substantially square in form and which has its side faces open. In Figure 10 the top' and'bottom parts are seen in section and one vertical side is seen, through the frame, in elevation.

,tinuous gaslrets ill and This frame or casting 34 is vertically disposed when in a plied position within the upperip sf sure tank U, which corresponds to tank and both ends and leading from the opening}?! ar the cover plate '88 is thecarry iif pipeflg fiorre} spending to the pipe 48 of the first embodiment iorthe'm eseon; j 4

Q n e t e', w t th ed e fe es o. of the'frame cre ting a; and con-forming to said sides "of the frame or castingiare the con- Q t e si askets filarethe peripheral portiqnsf t e perfemied rl t fl w ic v ie ednen Sid o ime 9149 a fi erin ape g t l iQuiW- irdly o ea h ie fi eri amination 94 is a perforated plate 95 of substantially t e s m me s on an confi urati n as t adieqen p a 9 Ihequ e f e o th ate 95 is flat over its entire area yvhile the'inn er ac o th p te :91 has t ma o porti n re: as atefi, providing a comparatively shalfiltered out or the fluid.

h eripheral portion .91 of the plate .95 coportions of the screen 93 andthe' overlying lamination 95. The vouter fiat face .of each of the plates95 also has disposed thereover a fine ,wire screen 93 upon which is disposed .thereover, the filtering lamination 99 of paper orcloth and outwardly of .the applied screen v98 and lamination 99 is an outer perforated plate I60.

The outer ,face of this tiYcly shallow recess Jill extending layer a subthat the elongated frigid membersor bolts [Q4 stantial portion of said face.

JMLwith theirlasisociatedhuts H16 serve g5 effiec tively maintain the various parts ofgthe l fnt or unit D in desired assembled relation; l The fluid entehg the tank U news inward: 1y through the per olfat di-fplatds wi0;;91"jand;a2

tl'ariiihaftionfs es and attend and the interposed v I into the frame or' lca sting 84 screens 83 and .93

and ou thr u htne bore in er the bo o p le 8e and t through t e disch rge r".de y pipes a n Thi fi te in stee -i ei eca se in amids the cessfully used inponnection with various fluids but it is pr mari y intendedior.fi1 teri, electrifcal transformer and electrical switch Toils'; Again referring to the first embodiment of the invention, it is to be pointed out that the top T has suitably supported against its outer surface at a desired location an elonlgated heating element lfl'l'o'f a type preferred and the location of this element I01 is where it will give the best efiiciency depending on the size and capacity of the tank T and the parts there in. While, in the accdmpanymg drawings', only a single heating element IE1 is shown, it is be: lieved to be obviouslthat as many may be employed as practice 'may demand and it is also'believ-ed to be obvious that such element or elements are to be thermostaticallycontrolledso that the same will be ineifective when ,theTtemA perature of the fluid Within the tank .T'isibelow a predetermined or desired degree. Itis to be stated that a similar 'heating'means is' tobe assembled and operated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a filtering apparatus, a filtering unit comprising a central frame having open "sides, a discharge nipple carried by and o'peningrintoth frame, said nipple comprising ans ,ror us; pending the unit in position, perforated plates tioned Within and restingfreely on the bottom Wall of the receptacle, an outlet pipe having ,an inlet end, means removablysuspending the outlet pipe in the receptacle with said inlet end dis;

a H .i positions "for removably rec 'iving the ends of said b ar. j B. 

